by William van Zyverden, Esq

The International Alliance of Holistic Lawyers recently announced the theme of its 1998 Annual Conference to be held in Vancouver, November 12 - 15, 1998 as “How to Find Joy in the Practice of Law.” William van Zyverden, IAHL President, explains the story behind this ambitious choice of focus for the Conference.

We chose Joy as the theme for 1998 because joy is both the spiritual nourishment and the reward we need to stay on law’s difficult path. It seems, however, that we opened up a Pandora’s Box. Although we anticipated a lively debate from the profession in general, we were amazed to find much discussion within our membership.

One person put it this way, “Asking whether there is Joy in the practice of Law is like asking whether there is “health” in the practice of medicine. Of course not!”, he emphasized. “You must understand that healthy people do not need Doctors and Joyful people do not need lawyers.”

Let me re-phrase the question, I said. Can lawyers experience Joy in the practice of Law? “I’ll continue the metaphor,” he said. “Like Doctors, Lawyers are surrounded by people sick with conflict, rage, hostility, victimization, and righteousness. Doctors have it easy,” he added, “they work with their patients to fight a disease in a battle which is just as acceptable to lose as it is to win. Lawyers, on the other hand, are hired to fight and to win. Losing is not only unacceptable, but cause for an attack by the client for negligent and incompetent representation.”

OK. Let me try another question: Can people experience Joy? “Of course.”

Can people who have chosen to become lawyers experience Joy? He thought for a moment. “I see where you’re getting at,” he said, “but statistics say no. Several States have done surveys and each has revealed that most lawyers surveyed not only claim no Joy practising law, but in their private lives as well--and due, they say, to their profession.”

So the profession has somehow kept its practitioners from experiencing Joy? “I disagree,” a woman said, rising from her chair. “Joy comes from within. The lack of Joy is a lack of one’s ability to bring Joy out from within. This should have nothing to do with what profession one is in.”

Another woman stood up. “I wake up every morning thinking that this day I will not succumb to the professional cloud that hangs over me. It comes in from all sides--cases, clients, partners, opposing counsel, opposing parties, judges--racking my brain to be sure that I have placated everyone.”

Is Joy present when you wake up? “I think so, but, well, no, I don’t really believe it. If there was any at one time, I think it has been beaten down until it is unwilling to surface.”

What happened? “I used to be proud to say that I was a lawyer. Now, well, people need us but they don’t want us. Like medicine. Clients actually expect you to taste bad and the worse, the better.”

Must you assume the role? “Hey, if I don’t play the part, I don’t pay the bills.”

“Wait a minute,” said someone else. “I don’t agree with any of this. You can’t blame it on the Profession when you choose how to practice.”

“Oh, like we have a choice,” a voice interjected over the growing din, as more people joined the debate.

Must being a Lawyer infer a Joyless existence? This lively dialogue is where the International Alliance of Holistic Lawyers Annual Conference will begin. Interested lawyers are invited to join colleagues from around the globe for a four-day exploration and celebration of joy in the practice of law. Call 802.388.7478 for more information.

William van Zyverden, Esq is the president of the International Alliance of Holistic Lawyers.

This article was published in the June 1998 issue of BarTalk and is subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2006, all rights reserved.